Notes

Many nitrogen-fixing tree species are tolerant of acid soils. Planted in agroforestry systems, they provide a low-input technology that help farmers overcome limitations to plant growth caused by lack of nitrogen. Only recently have researchers
begun to evaluate different nitrogen fixing species for agroforestry systems on acid soils.
Nitrogen fixing trees for acid soils is a manual produced by the participants who amended a conference of the same title and whose objective it was to produce a practical field guide for selecting, evaluating and growing nitrogen fixing trees on acid soils.
Nitrogen fixing trees for acid soils
edited by Mark Powells
1996 110pp
Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association,
Winrock International
38 Winrock Drive,
Morrilton, Arkansas 72110 9537, USA
Researchers and farmers have different perspectives when choosing tree species that will give the greatest benefit. These
perspectives have to be merged when setting priorities for deciding on which species are to be researched for genetic
improvement. The poor knowledge base on multipurpose trees makes estimation of the possible effects on research efforts
more difficult to assess than for agricultural commodities. The large number of possible species, and the paucity of information
on these species, necessitated the design of a priority-setting process radically different from traditional scoring or economic
surplus approaches.
Choosing the right trees setting priorities for multipurpose tree improvement is a research report in which the procedures for
setting these innovative priorities for research are documented: they are structured, objective and involve both researchers and
farmers. The proceedures were tested in the humid lowlands of West Africa.
Choosing the right trees
ISNAR Research Report 8
by S Franzel, H Jaenicke and W Janssen
1996 87pp
ISBN 92 9118 0254
ISSN 1021 4429
ISNAR,
PO Box 93375,
2509 AJ The Hague,
THE NETHERLANDS